Zoned Elevator System

ABSTRACT

An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/957,128filed on Nov. 30, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/207,539 filed on Aug. 19, 2005, the disclosures of both areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods of deployingelevator systems, in particular, the deployment of a plurality ofdeployment schemes associated with twin elevator systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In multi-storey buildings, one of the main objectives is to efficientlytransport passengers to various floors using an elevator system. Indesigning, developing, and deploying elevator systems, particularattention should be paid to the portion of the building core that isdedicated to the elevator system. For example, as the number of elevatorshafts are increased to meet the demands of higher buildings, maximizingreal estate space as a commodity is also a main concern that must beaddressed. Therefore, the object is to try and minimize the requirednumber of elevator shafts that are deployed within an elevator system,while also trying to effectively meet the transportation needs ofpassengers and freight within the building. For example, a poorlydesigned elevator system may cause unacceptable delays for passengerstrying to reach a desired floor. However, solutions to try and reducethe number of shafts and improve service have included higher elevatortravel speeds, shorter door opening/closing times, advanced controlsystems, express elevators, splitting buildings into zones, etc. Thesesolutions, while relatively successful in addressing some of thechallenges, may not be acceptable by the user. These reasons may includea feeling of unease when elevators accelerate, doors quickly closing, ordifficulties that may be experienced as the result of using acomplicated system, where passengers may have to change one or severaltimes to get to a desired floor.

Despite the mentioned optimization measures, it is evident that thelargest part or portion of the elevator shaft is not used when theelevator car is in another part of the shaft. One solution attempting tocapitalize on this is the double-decker elevator. However, some of thedisadvantages of such a system are the large scale drives and powersupplies that become necessary for accelerating such a large mass. Also,as the cars are semi-connected, the delays for passengers waiting forother passengers to exit and enter the elevator may be more as a resultof two floors being simultaneously served. Moreover, the stories of thebuilding would have to be virtually equidistant, which is an expensiveobjective to meet in a building.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anelevator system that is capable of effectively maximizing an elevatorshaft by accommodating more than one independently controllable elevatorcar within a shaft.

It is another object of the present invention to deploy various elevatorschemes using more than one elevator car within each elevator shaftbased on different buildings, where each building comprises a differentnumber of floors and elevator shafts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides elevator system architectures and methodsthat employ the use of two elevator cars within a single elevator shaft,where each of the two elevator cars move independently of each otherwithin the shaft.

An aspect of the present invention according to the present inventionprovides an elevator system having at least two independently operableelevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within abuilding. The system comprises at least one first elevator shaft havinga lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator carmoves within the lower first region and a second elevator car moveswithin the lower second region. Both the first and second elevators aremoveably controlled independently of each other, where each elevator carmoves independently of the other in the first elevator shaft. Theelevator system also comprises at least one second elevator shaft havingan upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator carmoves within the upper first region and a fourth elevator car moveswithin the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator are alsomoveably controlled independently of each other, where each elevator carmoves independently of the other in the second elevator shaft.

Another aspect of the present invention according to the presentinvention provides an elevator system within a building that comprisesat least one first elevator shaft that includes a lower first and alower second region. A first elevator car moves within the lower firstregion and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region,wherein the first and second elevator are moveably controlledindependently of each other. At least one second elevator shaft has alower sky lobby and an upper sky lobby separated from the lower skylobby by a plurality of mid-level floors, whereby a third elevator carmoves between a ground floor of the building and the lower sky lobby,and a fourth elevator car moves between the ground floor and the uppersky lobby. The third and fourth elevator are also moveably controlledindependently of each other.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides an elevator systemhaving two elevator cars within each elevator shaft for providing goodsand passenger transportation to a plurality of floors of a building. Theelevator system comprises at least one elevator shaft comprising avirtual landing region located above a top floor of the plurality offloors of the building. A goods elevator car moves within the at leastone elevator shaft between a basement floor and the top floor associatedwith the plurality of floors. A passenger elevator car moves within theat least one elevator shaft between a ground floor associated with theplurality of floors and the virtual landing, wherein the passengerelevator car moves into the virtual landing for allowing accessibilityof the goods elevator car to the top floor. The goods elevator car andpassenger elevator car are moveably controlled independently of eachother within the at least one elevator shaft, whereby each elevator carmoves independently of the other in the at least one elevator shaft.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an elevator systemcomprises two elevator cars within each elevator shaft for passengertransportation to a plurality of floors of a building. The elevatorsystem further comprises at least one elevator shaft comprising a firstregion and a second region, where the first region extends from a groundlevel to a plurality of sub-ground levels. The second region extendsfrom the ground level to a top floor of the building, where a first anda second elevator car move within the at least one elevator shaft. Thefirst elevator car moves within the first region and the second elevatorcar moves within the second region, wherein the first and the secondelevator cars are moveably controlled independently of each other withinthe at least one elevator shaft.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method ofoperating an elevator system comprises a first and a secondindependently operable elevator car within each elevator shaft within abuilding. The method comprises the steps of assigning the first elevatorto operate within a first region of the elevator shaft, and assigningthe second elevator to operate within a second region of the elevatorshaft, where the second region is located above the first region. Thefirst and the second elevator car are loaded from a ground floor level,where the loading of the second elevator car from the ground floor iscontrolled by moving the first elevator below the level of the groundfloor to a lower level zone.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for operating an elevator system comprising a first and asecond independently operable elevator car within each at least oneelevator shaft of a building. The method comprises the steps ofproviding passenger transportation between a ground floor level and atop floor of the building using the first elevator car within the atleast one elevator shaft. Also provided is passenger transportationbetween a sub-ground floor level and a top floor of the building usingthe second elevator car within the at least one elevator shaft. Theloading of the first elevator car from the top floor is controlled bymoving the second elevator above the level of the top floor to a virtuallanding region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where the lower floorsare serviced by a first group of elevator cars, and the upper floors areserviced by a second group via an express zone.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where the upper floorsare serviced by two shuttle cars operating within the same elevatorshaft.

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where an elevatormotion-free zone is established within each shaft.

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where the upper floorsare serviced by double deck shuttles for transporting passengers tolobbies that provide access to the upper floors that utilize the twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaft.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where an upper floorvirtual landing is provided.

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where a lower groundlevel virtual landing is provided.

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme employing twoindependently moving elevator cars operating within each elevator shaftaccording to an aspect of the present invention, where one of the twoindependently moving elevator cars services sub-ground level floors, andthe other elevator car accordingly services the floors above groundlevel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme 100 employingtwo independently moving elevator cars (Twin Cars) operating within eachelevator shaft according to an aspect of the present invention. Thesystem 100 according to the present invention represents a zoned twinelevator system. Each elevator car or lift operates within an elevatorshaft, where each shaft is designated by a lift number 102 (e.g., 1-12).Elevator shafts 1-12, as indicated by 104, are illustrated at the bottomof deployment scheme 100, where a first group of elevator shafts,indicated by 106, provide transportation services to a first region offloors within a building (e.g., floors 1-20), as indicated by 108. Asecond group of elevator shafts, indicated by 110, similarly providetransportation services to a second region of floors with the building(e.g., floors 21-40), as indicated by 112.

Within the first group of elevator shafts, indicated by 106, elevatorshaft 114 comprises a twin elevator system incorporating two elevatorcars that move independently of each other, where independent motion isenabled by providing separate counter weight, rope, and traction driveunits for each elevator car. A first region 116 within shaft 114,denoted by lighter colored circles, indicate the floors (i.e., floors1-10) that are serviced by a first elevator car (not shown) associatedwith the twin elevator cars. A second region 118 within shaft 114,denoted by the dark colored circles, indicate floors (i.e., floors11-20) that are serviced by a second elevator car (not shown).Passengers or uses requiring transportation to floors in the firstregion 116 may enter the first elevator car on a lower ground level 120of the building, whereas passengers or users traveling to the floorsassociated with the second region 118 may enter the second elevator carfrom the upper ground level 122. Access between the upper and lowerground levels may be provided, for example, by a connecting stair case,a shuttle elevator, and/or an escalator 124. All the other elevatorshafts 126,128, 130, 132,134 within the first group of elevators 106 areidentical to that of elevator shaft 114, described above.

The number of elevator shafts designated for each elevator group, andthe number of floors associated with each region (e.g., floors 1-10 inthe first region 116) are for purposes of illustration and notlimitation, and may vary according to various elevator system designfactors (e.g., building size, traffic, etc.). Also, it may be possibleto increase the number of elevator cars operating within each shaft tomore than two.

One or more elevator system controllers (not shown) may include varioussafety and monitoring procedures for ensuring that the independentlymoving elevator cars sharing a shaft do not come within a certain rangeor distance of each other for collision avoidance and safety purposes.

Within the second group of elevator shafts, indicated by 110, elevatorshaft 140 also comprises a twin elevator system incorporating twoelevator cars that move independently of each other. A first region 142within shaft 140, denoted by lighter colored circles, indicate thefloors (i.e., floors 21-30) that are serviced by a first elevator car(not shown) associated with the twin elevator cars. A second region 144within shaft 140, denoted by the dark colored circles, indicate floors(i.e., floors 31-40) that are serviced by a second elevator car (notshown). Passengers or users requiring transportation to floors in thefirst region 142 may enter the first elevator car on a lower groundlevel 120 of the building, whereas passengers or users traveling tofloors associated with the second region 144 may enter the secondelevator car from upper ground level 122. As previously described,access between the upper and lower ground levels may be provided, forexample, by a connecting stair case, a shuttle elevator, and/or anescalator 124. All the other elevator shafts 146, 148, 150, 152, 154within the second group of elevators 110 are identical to that ofelevator shaft 140, described above. The second group of elevator cars110 comprise a express zone 158 over which the elevator cars do not stopuntil the upper region floors (i.e., floors 21-40) have been reached.

Use of two elevator cars within each shaft, and the provision of anexpress zone 158, reduces the number of elevator shafts required incomparison to systems employing single elevator cars operating withineach shaft for a given traffic or utilization factor. The express zonefacilitates an expedited service for passengers wishing to betransported to the upper floors of the building, while simultaneouslyproviding the advantages of multiple elevator cars within each shaft.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme 200 employingtwo independently moving elevator cars (Twin Cars) operating within eachelevator shaft according to another aspect of the present invention. Thescheme 200 according to the present invention represents a hybridelevator system comprising a twin elevator scheme 202 and a split twinshuttle scheme 204. Elevator scheme 202 is identical to that of region106 shown in FIG. 1, where shafts 1-5, as indicated by 206, each includetwo elevator cars within each shaft for servicing floors 1-20. The splittwin shuttle scheme 204 comprises a plurality of shafts 208 (i.e.,shafts 6-8), where each shaft has two elevator cars that travel betweena ground level and a lower and upper sky lobby 210, 212. A firstelevator car (not shown) transports passengers between a lower groundfloor level 222 and the lower sky lobby 210 (lighter colored circles).At the lower sky lobby 210, the passengers may access a bank ofelevators 214 that service the mid-level floors of the building, asindicated by region 216. Similarly, a second elevator car (not shown)transports passengers between an upper ground floor level 224 and theupper sky lobby 212 (dark colored circles). At the upper sky lobby 212,the passengers may access another bank of elevators 218 that service theupper-level floors of the building, as indicated by region 220.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, elevator banks 214 and 218 are accessible fromthe upper level floors (i.e., floor 21 and 31, respectively). Thisprovides an advantage where the shafts for these elevator banks 214, 218do not have to extend down to the ground floor level as the elevatorcars are operable from their respective sky lobbies. Accordingly,elevator shafts 9-12, indicated by 226, are not required to extend fromfloor 21 to the lower ground level 222. Similarly, elevator shafts13-16, indicated by 228, are not required to extend from floor 31 to theupper ground level 224. This provides an increase in building corespace, in addition to providing more efficient elevator trafficmanagement.

Passengers requiring transportation to lower sky lobby 210 may enter thefirst elevator car on the lower ground level 222 of the building,whereas passengers traveling to upper sky lobby 212 may enter the secondelevator car from the upper ground level 224. Access between the upperand lower ground levels 222, 224 may be provided, for example, by aconnecting stair case, a shuttle elevator, and/or an escalator 230.Also, elevator cars associated with elevator shafts 1-5, as indicated by206, may be accessed from the lower or upper ground levels 222, 224depending on whether passengers require transportation to the lowerlevel floors, denoted by the lighter colored circles, or the upperfloors, as indicated by the dark colored circles.

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevator system deployment scheme 300 comprisingtwo independently moving elevator cars (Twin Cars) operating within eachelevator shaft according to an aspect of the present invention. Thesystem 300 according to the present invention represents a zoned twinelevator system, where each zone has a respective express regiontherebetween.

Each elevator car operates within an elevator shaft, where each shaft isdesignated by a lift or elevator number 302 (e.g., 1-12). Elevatorshafts 1-12, as indicated by 304, are illustrated at the bottom ofdeployment scheme 300, where a first group of elevator shafts, indicatedby 306, provide transportation services to a first region of floorswithin a building (e.g., floors 1-30), as indicated by 308. A secondgroup of elevator shafts, indicated by 310, similarly providetransportation services to a second region of floors with the building(e.g., floors 11-40), as indicated by 312.

Within the first group of elevator shafts, indicated by 306, elevatorshaft 314 comprises a twin elevator system incorporating two elevatorcars that move independently of each other within the shaft. Independentmotion is enabled by providing separate counter weight, rope, andtraction drive units for each elevator car. Other known methods known inthe art of elevator motion and control may be incorporated to achieveindependent movement of the elevator cars. A first region 316 withinshaft 314, denoted by lighter colored circles, indicates the floors(i.e., floors 1-10) that are serviced by a first elevator car (notshown), and a second region 318 within shaft 314, denoted by the darkcolored circles, illustrates floors (i.e., floors 21-30) that areserviced by a second elevator car (not shown). As illustrated in thefigure, an express region 319 is located between regions 316 and 318,which expedites the transportation of passengers to the upper floors ofthe elevator cars operating within the first group of elevator shaftsindicated by 306. The express region 319 also simplifies the safety andcontrol capabilities of the elevator control system. This is facilitatedby the physical separation between any two elevator cars operating intheir designated regions within each shaft. For example, there is a tenfloor separation between the first elevator car operating within region316 and the second elevator car operating within region 318. In such ascenario, the closest proximity between the cars operating in regions316 and 318 is ten floors, which accounts for a relatively safe distancebetween the cars. If either car violates this distance, either or bothelevator cars can be safely closed down using less complex sensor andcontrol programming.

Passengers requiring transportation to floors in the first region 316may enter the first elevator car on a lower ground level 320 of thebuilding, whereas passengers or users traveling to the floors associatedwith the second region 318 may enter the second elevator car from theupper ground level 322. Access between the upper and lower ground levelsmay be provided, for example, by a connecting stair case, a shuttleelevator, and/or an escalator 324. All the other elevator shafts 326,328, 330, 332, 334 within the first group of elevators 306 are identicalto that of elevator shaft 314, described above.

The number of elevator shafts designated for each elevator group, andthe number of floors associated with each region (e.g., floors 1-10 inthe first region 316) are for purposes of illustration and notlimitation, and may vary according to various elevator system designfactors (e.g., building size, traffic, etc.). Also, it may be possibleto increase the number of elevator cars operating within each shaft tomore than two.

One or more elevator system controllers (not shown) may include varioussafety and monitoring procedures for ensuring that the independentlymoving elevator cars sharing a shaft do not come within a certain rangeor distance of each other for collision avoidance and safety purposes.

Within the second group of elevator shafts, indicated by 310, elevatorshaft 340 also comprises a twin elevator system incorporating twoelevator cars that move independently of each other. A first region 342within shaft 340, denoted by lighter colored circles, indicate thefloors (i.e., floors 21-30) that are serviced by a first elevator car(not shown) associated with the twin elevator cars. A second region 344within shaft 340, denoted by the dark colored circles, indicate floors(i.e., floors 31-40) that are serviced by a second elevator car (notshown). As illustrated in the figure, an express region 356 is alsolocated between regions 342 and 344, which expedites the transportationof passengers to the upper floors of the elevator cars operating withinthe first group of elevator shafts indicated by 310. The express region356 also simplifies the safety and control capabilities of the elevatorcontrol system. This is facilitated by the physical separation betweenany two elevator cars operating in their designated regions within eachshaft.

Passengers or users requiring transportation to floors in the firstregion 342 may enter the first elevator car on a lower ground level 320of the building, whereas passengers or users traveling to floorsassociated with the second region 344 may enter the second elevator carfrom upper ground level 322. As previously described, access between theupper and lower ground levels may be provided, for example, by aconnecting stair case, a shuttle elevator, and/or an escalator 324. Allthe other elevator shafts 346, 348, 350, 352, 354 within the secondgroup of elevators 310 are identical to that of elevator shaft 340,described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates a yet another hybrid elevator system deploymentscheme 400, which includes two independently moving elevator cars (TwinCars) operating within each elevator shaft according to another aspectof the present invention. The scheme 400 according to the presentinvention represents a hybrid elevator system comprising a zoned twinelevator scheme 402, a split twin shuttle scheme 404, a double deckelevator shuttle 406, and an upper and lower zoned twin elevator scheme408, 410. Elevator scheme 402 is identical to that of scheme 202illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 2, where shafts 1-2,as indicated by 412, each include two elevator cars within each shaftfor servicing floors 1-8.

The split twin shuttle scheme 404 is identical to that of scheme 204illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 2, and comprises aplurality of shafts 414 (i.e., shafts 3-4), where each shaft has twoelevator cars that travel between a ground level and a lower mid-leveland upper mid-level sky lobby 416, 418, respectively. A first elevatorcar (not shown) transports passengers between a lower ground floor level422 and the lower mid-level sky lobby 416 (lighter colored circles) viaan express zone 417. At the lower mid-level sky lobby 416, thepassengers may access a bank of elevators 424 that service the lowermid-level floors of the building, as indicated by region 426. Similarly,a second elevator car (not shown) transports passengers between an upperground floor level 423 and the upper mid-level sky lobby 418 (darkcolored circles) via express zone 417. At the upper mid-level sky lobby418, the passengers may access another bank of elevators 430 thatservice the upper mid-level floors of the building, as indicated byregion 432.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, elevator banks 426 and 430 are accessible fromthe mid level floors (i.e., floor 9 and 18, respectively). This providesan advantage, where the shafts corresponding to these elevator banks426, 430 do not have to extend down to the ground floor level, as theelevator cars are operable from their respective sky lobbies (i.e.,floor 9 and 18, respectively). Accordingly, elevator shafts 5-6,indicated by 426, are not required to extend from floor 9 to the lowerground level 422. Similarly, elevator shafts 7-8, indicated by 430, arenot required to extend from floor 17 to the upper ground level 423. Thisprovides an increase in building core space, in addition to providingmore efficient elevator traffic management.

Passengers requiring transportation to lower mid-level sky lobby 416 mayenter the first elevator car on the lower ground level 422 of thebuilding, whereas passengers traveling to upper mid-level sky lobby 418may enter the second elevator car from the upper ground level 423.Access between the upper and lower ground levels 422, 423 may beprovided, for example, by a connecting stair case, a shuttle elevator,and/or an escalator 436. Also, elevator cars associated with elevatorshafts 1-2, as indicated by 412, may be accessed from the lower or upperground levels 422, 423 depending on whether passengers requiretransportation to the lower level floors, denoted by the lighter coloredcircles, or the upper floors, as indicated by the dark colored circles.

The double deck elevator shuttle scheme 406 illustrated in FIG. 4comprises a plurality of shafts (i.e., 9-10), as indicated by 440. Eachshaft includes a double deck elevator car (not shown) which comprises alower deck elevator car coupled to an upper deck elevator car. When thedouble deck elevator car is at any given floor, the upper deck elevatorcar concurrently serves the floor immediately above the floor served bythe lower deck elevator car. The double deck elevator car associatedwith each of the plurality of shafts 440, provides passengertransportation between the upper and lower ground floor levels 422, 423,and a first and second upper-level lobby 442, 444, respectively.

At the first and second upper-level lobby 442, 444, elevator banks 446and 448 associated with upper and lower zoned twin elevator schemes 408,410 are accessible. The respective shafts within elevator banks 446 and448, each include two independently moving first and second elevatorcars (i.e., twin system). Zoned twin scheme 408 comprises a top downzoned twin system, whereby floor region 450B is serviced by a firstelevator car operating within each shaft (i.e., Lift No. 11-12) andfloor region 452B is, similarly, serviced by a second elevator caroperating within each shaft (i.e., Lift No. 11-12). Zoned twin scheme410 comprises floor region 450A, which is serviced by a first elevatorcar operating within each shaft (i.e., Lift No. 13-14) and floor region452A is, similarly, serviced by a second elevator car operating withineach shaft (i.e., Lift No. 11-12) of the zoned twin system.

Passengers requiring access to floor regions 450B and 452A may accesselevator banks 446 and 448 by taking one of the double deck elevatorcars (i.e., Lift No. 9 or 10) from upper ground level 423 to the secondupper-level lobby 444. Similarly, floor regions 450A and 452B may beaccessed via elevator banks 446 and 448 by taking one of the double deckelevator cars (i.e., Lift No. 9 or 10) from lower ground level 422 tothe first upper-level lobby 442. The upper and lower zoned twin elevatorschemes 408, 410 are accessed by the double deck elevator shuttle scheme406 and, thus, provide an efficient means of traffic management, wherebypassengers requiring service to the upper floors of the building aretransported via express zone 456 to the upper-level lobbies 442, 444.This also enables the elevator shafts within elevator banks 446 and 448to extent only as far down as the lowest floor for which they provideservice. For example, the elevator shafts associated with elevator bank446 may only need to extend as far “floor 28,” which facilitates the useof core building space below this floor (i.e., floor 28). Also, theshafts of elevator bank 448 may only need to extend from the top regionof the building to “floor 37.” Hence, the use of core building spacebelow “floor 37” is mad made available. The number of floors andelevator shafts (i.e., indicated by lift no.) illustrated in connectionwith FIG. 4 are for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. Forexample, the number of floors and elevator shafts may be increased inaccordance with traffic management, elevator system design principles,and/or other factors.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevator deployment scheme 500 for providing acombination of goods and passenger transportation according to an aspectof the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, transportation ofboth goods and passengers is provided by two independently movingelevator cars operating within each shaft, as indicated by 502. Eachelevator shaft comprises a lower and an upper elevator car, wheretransportation provided by the lower elevator car is indicated by thelighter colored circles and service provided by upper car is identifiedby the dark colored circles. Transportation between the ground floorlevel and a floor immediately below the top floor (i.e., 15^(th) floor),as indicated by 504, is provided by both the upper and lower elevatorcars moving within each shaft. Transportation to the basement 506 isprovided by the lower elevator car only. Also, transportation to the topfloor 508 (i.e., 16^(th) floor) is normally provided by the upperelevator car. However, if a virtual landing area 510 is provided, theupper elevator may move into the virtual landing area 510, allowing thelower elevator car to service or provide transportation to the top floor508. The virtual landing may comprise a location in the hoistway orelevator shaft, where one of the twin elevator cars can be moved inorder to make way for the other elevator car operating within the sameelevator shaft.

For illustrative purposes, the lighter colored circles designate thefloors that receive transportation services from the lower elevator carswithin each of elevator shafts 1-6, defined by 502. The lower elevatorcars may be used as a goods or services elevator. The darker coloredcircles designate the floors that receive transportation services fromthe upper elevator cars within each of elevator shafts 1-6, defined by502, whereby the upper elevator cars may provide passengertransportation.

As both elevator cars within each elevator shaft have access to a commonset of floors within a building, the minimum permissible safe distancebetween the upper and lower elevator cars may be a single floor. Forexample, the lower elevator car may be on the 5^(th) floor and the upperelevator car may be directly above it on the 6^(th) floor. The controlmechanisms for controlling and maintaining a safe distance between theupper and lower elevator cars may depend on the elevator controllersystem (not shown) and sensory technology (not shown) employed. Forexample, based on safety and other considerations, a minimum safedistance of two or more floors may be required between the elevatorcars.

The elevator controller may also provide a priority based elevatordispatching process, that assigns a higher priority to passengertransportation relative to goods or services transportation. Therefore,the controller system may ensure that the elevator shafts are mainlyfree and not obstructed by the lower goods elevator cars during periodswhen passenger traffic is high (e.g., 5 pm in an office building).

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevator deployment scheme 600 comprising a zonedtwin elevator system according to an aspect of the present invention.The zoned twin elevator is identical to the zoned twin system describedand illustrated in connection with FIG. 1, accept that deployment scheme600 comprises a single ground floor level 602 (i.e., no upper and lowerground floor level) and a virtual landing 604 that is located beneathground level 602. Each of the elevator shafts, indicated by 606, includetwo elevator cars (not shown) independent operating within them. Aspreviously described, each elevator operates within a region or zone.For example, within each shaft (e.g., shaft 612), a first elevator carprovides transportation between the ground floor 602 and the 10^(th)floor of the building, as indicated by region 608, and designated by thelighter colored circles. Also within each shaft, a second elevator carprovides transportation from the ground floor 602 to the upper floors ofthe building (i.e., floors 11-20), as indicated by region 610, anddesignated by the darker colored circles.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, both the first and second elevator cars mayload passengers from the ground level 602. The first elevator carsoperating in region 608 may load passengers from their rear doors andthe second elevator cars operating in region 610 load passengers fromtheir front doors. At any given instant, only one of the elevator carsoperating within each shaft can access the ground floor 602 for thepurpose of loading passengers. If, for example, the second elevator caroperating in region 610 is assigned to load passengers from the groundfloor 602, the first elevator car operating in region 608 must berelocated to the virtual landing 604 in order to allow the secondelevator to access the ground floor 602.

If the first elevator car operating in region 608 is assigned to loadpassengers from the ground floor 602, the second elevator car should beoperating within region 610 or be located at a minimum safe distanceabove the first elevator car in compliance with the safety standards andmechanisms in place.

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevator deployment scheme 700 comprising a zonedtwin elevator system according to an aspect of the present invention.Each of the elevator shafts, indicated by 702, include two elevator cars(not shown) independent operating within them. As previously described,each elevator operates within a region or zone. For example, within eachshaft (e.g., shaft 704), a first elevator car provides transportationbetween the ground floor 706 and the top floor of the building, asindicated by region 708, and designated by the dark colored circles.Also within each shaft, a second elevator car provides transportationfrom the ground floor 706 to the sub-ground level floors of the building(i.e., floors P1-P4), as indicated by region 710, and designated by thelighter colored circles. The sub-ground level floors, indicated by 710,may, for example, be parking levels underneath the building. The floorlevels located above ground level 706, may for example, be residentialapartments, offices, and/or commercial shopping floors.

As illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 6, elevatordeployment scheme 700 comprises a single ground floor level 702 (i.e.,no upper and lower ground floor level). Both the first and secondelevator cars within each shaft may load passengers from the groundlevel 702. The first elevator cars operating in region 708 may loadpassengers from their front doors and the second elevator cars operatingin region 710 (i.e., parking levels) may load passengers from their reardoors. At any given instant, only one of the elevator cars operatingwithin each shaft can access the ground floor 702 for the purpose ofloading passengers. If, for example, the second elevator car operatingin region 710 is assigned to load passengers from the ground floor 702for the purpose of transporting them to the parking area, the firstelevator car operating in region 708 should remain operating at aminimum safe distance from the second elevator car in region 708.

If the first elevator car operating in region 708 is assigned to loadpassengers from the ground floor 702, the second elevator car should beoperating within region 710 and be located at a minimum safe distancebelow the first elevator car. By operating two elevators within a singleshaft, more efficient use of the elevator shaft and, therefore, morepassenger transportation is facilitated. As illustrated in FIG. 7, whilepassengers are being transported to the upper floors, the elevator shaftis simultaneously utilized for transporting our passengers to theparking area. This deployment scheme 700 increases the traffic flowsignificantly by allowing each of the twin elevator cars to operate intwo separate regions 708, 710 that have little or no overlap within eachshaft (e.g., shaft 702).

In addition to the embodiments of the aspects of the present inventiondescribed above, those of skill in the art will be able to arrive at avariety of other arrangements and steps which, if not explicitlydescribed in this document, nevertheless embody the principles of theinvention and fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example,the ordering of method steps is not necessarily fixed, but may becapable of being modified without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention.

1. An elevator system having two elevator cars within each elevatorshaft for passenger transportation to a plurality of floors of abuilding, the elevator system comprising: a. at least one elevator shaftcomprising a first region and a second region, the first regionextending from a ground level to a plurality of sub-ground levels, andthe second region extending from the ground level to a top floor of thebuilding; and b. a first and a second elevator car for moving within theat least one elevator shaft, the first elevator car moving within thefirst region and the second elevator car moving within the secondregion, wherein the first and the second elevator car are moveablycontrolled independently of each other within the at least one elevatorshaft.
 2. The elevator system according to claim 1 wherein the pluralityof sub-ground levels are parking levels of the building.
 3. A method ofoperating an elevator system comprising a first and a secondindependently operable elevator car within each at least one elevatorshaft within a building, the method comprising the steps of: a.assigning the first elevator to operate within a first region of the atleast one elevator shaft; b. assigning the second elevator to operatewithin a second region of the at least one elevator shaft, wherein thesecond region is located above the first region; c. loading the firstand the second elevator car from a ground floor level; and d.controlling the loading of the second elevator car from the ground floorby moving the first elevator below the level of the ground floor to alower level zone.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the lowerlevel zone comprises a virtual landing.
 5. The method according to claim3, wherein the lower level zone comprises at least one sub-ground level.6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one sub-groundlevel is a parking level.